Helene Karastoyanova


composer, pedagogue

01.10.1933Sofia - Bulgaria

Helene Karastoyanova is daughter of the composer Assen Karastoyanov. She graduated from the State Academy of Music majoring in Theory of Music and in Composition under her father and Professor Alexander Raychev. She taught Harmony, Music Analysis and Polyphony at the National Music High School in Sofia and at the Institute for Music and Choreographic Specialists. From 1983 to 1988 she was Headmaster of the National Theatre Art High School (former State Choreographic School).

She composed music for choir and orchestra; works for chamber and string orchestra; chamber, choral and other works. She was prizewinner at the March Song Competition (1985, 1987, 1989).

She authored the monographs The Hidden Polyphony in the Work of Johann Sebastian Bach, The Phrygian Second in the Bulgarian Folksong, etc.

Creativity

For male voices choir and symphony orchestra:
Space Guard (1985);
A Call to Arms (1987).

Works for chamber orchestra:
Suite (1968).

Works for string orchestra:
Sinfonietta (1969).

Chamber Music:
Sonata for violin and piano (1967);
Prelude and Joke for flute and piano (1979);
Allegro for trumpet and piano (1980).

For piano:

Four Pieces (1964);
Children’s Summer, a cycle of five easy pieces (1982);
Holidays (1992).

Vocal music:

Three songs for voice and piano (1988).

For mixed choir:
To Liberty – cantata;
Thirst – ballad;
Days (1974);

Songs based on traditional lyrics (1977).